Mutton prices fixed but meat remains unavailable
Srinagar: The row over the price structure of mutton ended but a severe shortage of the commodity has meant that the common man may have to wait for his protein supplement for some more time.
Though dealers claim that the mutton shortage in Kashmir is likely to end in a week’s time after new retail mutton rates were fixed, the mutton shops are still closed as no stcock is available with the wholesale dealers.
The revised mutton rates came as a result of hectic negotiations with the dealers. The authorities have finally fixed the rate of mutton at Rs 535 per kilogram in Kashmir.
President of All Kashmir Wholesale Mutton Dealers Association, Mehraj Ud Din said that they had called a meeting today in which all the wholesale mutton dealers showed up.
“Directions were given to all wholesale meat dealers to procure the livestock while keeping in view the government approved meat rates,” he stated, adding that they were asked to get in touch with their contacts in outside Mandis to aggressively increase the supply of livestock to Kashmir valley.
He further said that it will take some more to end the shortage of mutton.
“However, the change will be visible from tomorrow hopefully,” he informed.
While talking about the seizure of certain meat shops after the newly fixed rates were ordered to be implemented in the region, Mehraj Ud Din said that these are unscrupulous elements and need to be dealt with as per law.
Meanwhile, Parvez Ahmad Ganie, who is the President of Butchers Union Pulwama, said that they are surely facing ‘a little shortage’ of livestock at the moment.
“After months of strike, the routine supply is expected to take time to settle down and suffice the demand,” he added.
Pertinently, mutton is a highly sought-after commodity in Kashmir with a consumption of around 1,000 lakh kg/year.
As per estimates of All Kashmir Wholesale Mutton Dealers Association, Kashmir consumes meat worth over Rs. 5 Crores daily and yearly the import figure is around Rs. 2500 Crores.
Meanwhile, authorities on Friday sealed a mutton shop in Nagbal area of Central Kashmir’s Ganderbal district for selling meat on exorbitant rates.
Action was initiated against the butcher after a video went viral in which butcher was seen charging Rs 600 per kg meat from the consumers.
Assistant Director CA&PD Ganderbal, Naseer Ahmad Baba while confirming the incident said that a formal FIR was lodged against the erring butcher and he has been arrested. He said strict action will be taken against those meat sellers who loot consumers and violate government norms. (with inputs from KNT)
